Archival records housed at the University of Utah's J. Willard Marriott Library provide a visual history of Salt Lake City, documenting the evolution of urban infrastructure from early 20th-century Main Street storefronts to mid-century municipal services.
Early 20th Century Urban Life
Historical photographs captured by Shipler Commercial Photographers offer a glimpse into the urban landscape of Salt Lake City during the early 1900s. One collection from the J. Willard Marriott Library exhibits features a photograph titled Storefronts on Main St., Salt Lake City, circa 1910. This image depicts a row of storefronts and buildings located on the 200-300 block of Main Street during the early 20th century.
This specific photographic record is part of the P0790 Shipler Studio Photograph Collection and is featured within the digital exhibit titled The History of Air Quality in Utah. These archives serve as a primary resource for studying the historical development of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area.
Mid-Century Municipal Services
Mid-century municipal operations are also preserved through digitized collections at the University of Utah. A photograph dated June 26, 1946, titled Trucks-S.L.C. Sanitary Dept. (Garbage) P.1, illustrates the Salt Lake City Sanitary Department's fleet. The image, which is part of a classified photograph collection, focuses on the subject of automobiles and transportation, specifically highlighting garbage trucks used by the city.
This photograph was produced by Shipler Commercial Photographers and is identified as photo number 28571. The original print has been digitized by the J. Willard Marriott Library and is held by the Utah State Historical Society. The digital version was scanned by Jacob Trauscht and is available in an archival resolution of 3796 x 3004 pixels.
Archival Preservation Efforts
The preservation of these images is managed through the J. Willard Marriott Library, which provides access to various digital collections and multimedia archives. These collections include specialized photographic sets such as the Shipler Studio Photograph Collection. The library's digitized materials allow researchers to examine the progression of Salt Lake City through different eras, from the architectural storefronts of 1910 to the specialized utility vehicles of the 1940s.
Historical Documentation and Access
The digital availability of these records is maintained through the University of Utah's library systems. While the 1910 storefront images contribute to the study of Utah's air quality history, the 1946 photographs provide essential documentation of the Salt Lake City Sanitary Department's historical transportation and equipment. Both sets of records are protected by copyright, and permission is required for any use of the materials.
Digital Archive Specifications
The digital assets are accessible via the University of Utah's collections and exhibits platforms. These resources, which include high-resolution TIFF and JP2000 files, allow for detailed examination of Salt Lake County's historical landscape, ranging from the commercial blocks of Main Street to the municipal service vehicles of the post-war period.
